25 Chill Pills To Control Costly Stress

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Stress is a killer -- literally. It also leads to wanton spending, unanticipated medical expenses and income loss.

In the worst case scenario, high stress can lead to suicide. The annual indirect cost for each attempted suicide is $31,616 and each completed suicide is $446,314. The emotional cost to family, friends and the community is incalculable.

None of us want to end up in debt because of stress, particularly stress that can be managed. Some problems simply can't be avoided (Are you listening BP?): Others we can control.

I'm one of those people who used to stress out over simple things, like laundry. It's taken me YEARS and lots of money to develop tricks for controlling this mania. I'd like to share 25 tips learned along my merry therapeutic path. Hopefully, they'll save you money without spending your money.

1. Avoid Human Stress Magnets
Limit exposure to those who create stress in your life, particularly if they refuse to change. You might even consider ending the relationship entirely. That can create more stress during the process, but the result can be surprisingly blissful.

2. Control Your Environment
Is this you? You're driving home, listening to the evening news when someone spouts an unbelievable inanity. You clutch the steering wheel and scream! (Okay. Maybe that's not you, but it's sure me.) That's why I now listen to music or books on CD during drive times.

If it's the traffic that makes you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market drives you up the wall, delegate the job to someone else, shop during slower hours or do the bulk of your shopping at farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture groups or bodegas/neighborhood stores.

3. Flip the Switch on Hot Buttons
Discussions of religion, politics and the economy make some people see red. If certain hot buttons just drive you 'round the bend, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop introducing the topic or excuse yourself when they start in again. With enough practice, you might even be able to laugh off their foolish viewpoints.

4. Just Say No
We all have limits, but not all of us insist others recognize them. Refuse to accept excessive responsibilities, whether in your professional or personal life. You may be pleasantly surprised at the reaction you'll receive. Then again, you may not. But you won't know until you try; and you deserve to try.

5. Create a To-Don't List
Identify the "shoulds" and "musts" on your to-do list and eliminate or drop the non-necessities to the bottom. Shoot the "shoulds" to the top of the list if they ever become "musts," (if that makes sense).

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